How Much Does Sealing An Asphalt Driveway Cost?
Asphalt Sealing Prices
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What Is Asphalt Sealing And Why Do I Need It?
Asphalt sealing is a process that sealcoating contractors use to prevent your driveway from deteriorating past the point of no return. It is a protective coat on top of the asphalt that seals together cracks and keeps rain and chemicals from eating away at the asphalt. Where you live and how well your asphalt driveway was installed originally will determine how often you need to have this service. You may need a sealcoat every year or every 5-10 years. Asphalt located in areas with harsh climate changes will need seal coating more often those located in a mild climate. The good news is that asphalt sealing is inexpensive and doesn’t take more than a few hours to complete. Without sealcoating, your asphalt driveway may deteriorate within several years.
Driveway Sealing Prices
The part of the country you live in will be the main determinant of the cost to seal your driveway. Rates are typically between $.12 and $.20 per square foot in most parts of the east coast. It is relatively cheaper in other areas. It costs about $.08-$.12 in the Midwest and other parts of the country. The more square footage you have abutting buildings, the higher the cost will be because these areas can’t be sprayed. They must be brushed on so labor costs will be higher. A particularly dirty driveway, especially one that has oil stains and other chemicals staining the asphalt, may be more expensive due to preparation time. The asphalt driveway must be clean and free from contaminants in order for the asphalt sealant to stick.
An average 10’x50’ driveway with minimal preparation work will cost between $60 and $100 to seal. Even if you have to do that every other year, it is still cheaper than getting your driveway repaved every 7-10 years for about $2-$3 a square foot. That would cost $1,000-$1,500 for the same driveway!
You cannot seal a newly paved driveway until at least 6 months after is has been laid down. The oils from the asphalt must dissipate before sealing can occur.
The cost of asphalt sealing can fluctuate with the price of oil since the material contractors use is made from oil. If the price of sealing a driveway seems high then it may be because they have to pass on the high cost of the sealant to you.
If you have a particularly large or dirty driveway and want to save a few bucks then you can always prepare the driveway yourself. All loose dirt and grass must be off it. Oil stains and other chemicals must be completely dried. Pressure washing your asphalt driveway is a quick and easy way to prepare it for sealcoating.